By Nick Creely
The Casey-South Melbourne Cricket Club has been approved for a $1.4 million upgrade to the Lindsay Hassett Pavilion.
Works are now expected to begin in January 2022 and be completed in time for the 2022/23 season after it was ticked off by Cricket Victoria, the Victorian State Government and Casey Council.
The long-awaited upgrade – envisioned by Swans past president Ross Hibbins who passed in April 2019 – is a culmination of the hard work and leadership of Ross in developing the club in the City of Casey when it was first established in the area in 2006.
The works will include an upgraded changerooms, toilet and showers downstairs, while upstairs will include a large multi-purpose room, kitchen and servery, meeting rooms, offices and a state-of-the-art undercover viewing area for ovals four and five.
“This long awaited upgrade was our past president Ross Hibbins’ dream for many years before he tragically passed away,” Swans president Shaun Petrie said.
“The upgrade to the pavilion was the final piece of the jigsaw and now that this news has been confirmed it’s fitting that we recognise the amazing work that Ross instigated with the help of current and past committees.”
Petrie said that there was plenty of people to thank in getting these works off the ground.
“A huge thank-you also should be mentioned to Ross Moore our current treasurer, the current committee, Peter Fitchett who advised us through many steps along the way, Casey Council, Cricket Victoria and the Victorian Government, in particular Pauline Richards MP for Cranbourne and Luke Donnellan MP for Narre Warren Nth and current minister,” he said.
“Without these people this upgrade would not be possible. The upgrade will not only provide a much needed space for social and fundraising events to be held by our club, it will allow us to pursue our desire to incorporate female participation in cricket going forward.”
